CHAPTER 173: DARE TO LOVE ME The Engagement Part 1 

Ashley 

“Y–yes,” I replied, feeling completely confused. He looked at my companions. 

“This is my cousin, Alaia Russell, and my best friend, Valentino Ferran,” I introduced them, and 

he smiled, extending his hand to Alaia. He did the same with Tino, offering a handshake, but 

Tino presented his hand in a feminine manner, displaying his perfectly manicured nails. Lyon 

took it gracefully and left a kiss on it after a smile. 

“It’s a pleasure.” He looked at the three of us. 

“This is Oliver Lacroix, my friend and teammate,” he said, gesturing to the well–built blond man 

at his side. 

“Delighted to meet you,” Oliver murmured in a deep voice marked by a French accent. With a 

flirtatious smile, he proceeded to kiss our hands gallantly, just as Lyon had done. “Since I just found out that Rossi has a fiancée“-he patted Lyon’s back-“how about you all come to the training session?” 

“We’d love to!” Tino accepted quickly. 

“We appreciate the invitation, but it’s a quick trip. We’re returning to the UK as soon as we 

finish our business here,” I said, shooting a reproving look at Tino. 

“That’s a shame. I’d love for you to stay longer, but I must go and check if everything is ready 

on the track. It’s been a pleasure.” He kissed our hands again and left after smiling and 

winking at us. 

“I’ll go with you; I’ll be back in a bit,” Lyon said, and they both headed for the exit. 

“Did we all see that?” Tino asked, looking out of the hotel where they were talking. “He’s like a 

Greek god, it’s getting hot in here.” He fanned himself with his hand. 

I couldn’t deny it; the guy was handsome. 

“He’s just a kid,” I said, looking at the boy without understanding. 

“I bet that ‘kid‘ has seen more-” 

“Okay, honey,” Alaia silenced him. 

“Fine, fine, I’ll behave. But seriously, who is he? And where is the constipated–looking guy from the photo?” The three of us looked back at the article, our eyes fixed on Enrico. My eyes scanned the image, and I saw the child, noticing the strong resemblance between the boy and 

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CHAPTER 173: DARE TO LOVE M… 

Lyon. 

“It’s the child,” I said, pointing. All three of us mechanically looked back and forth between the photo of the boy and Lyon. 

“Wow, he stole all the good genes. Look at little Lion cub,” Tino said, adjusting his hair. 

“This is confusing,” Alaia said, looking closely at the photo. 

“You tell me.” I exhaled and rubbed my forehead at the unexpected turn of events. 

“He’s coming back,” Alaia whispered, and I quickly closed Tino’s tablet, which displayed the picture of the boy. 

Lyon took a seat on the furniture in front of us and looked at us with a sideways smile. “Would you like something to eat or drink?” 

Alaia and I declined, but Tino ordered a drink that arrived quickly thanks to Lyon, along with 

two fruit sodas, one for Alaia and one for me. 

“Enrico…” I began to speak. 

“Enrico is my older brother, one who only thinks about making money and following the rules.” 

“I don’t understand. I thought he was my fiancé.” 

“He’s not. It must be a misunderstanding. Enrico got divorced a year ago, and at the moment, he’s only focused on his companies and the family business. He’s fulfilled his marriage quota, as has my sister. Which brings us to me. I’m the one who must now marry young and start a 

family.” 

“But you must be twenty or twenty–one years old,” I said, frowning. 

“My grandparents were married at eighteen. It’s a family tradition that we don’t pass twenty 

without getting married. They say that’s how families preserve traditions and don’t get caught 

up in the trivial things of the world.” He tapped his fingers on the table. 

“Oh my god, they’re stuck in the 1950s,” Tino said indignantly. 

“It’s even worse than that.” He fixed his gaze on my friend and then on me. “I heard that you 

don’t want this marriage and that you ran away as soon as you found out.” 

“That’s right. I want to decide for myself who I marry. My father shouldn’t be the one to decide,” 

I said confidently. 

Lyon nodded, looking out at the street. 

“I instructed one of my trusted associates to buy your shops from your father. I thought they 

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CHAPTER 173: DARE TO LOVE M… 

might be useful to me at some point, and for some reason, I also imagined they wouldn’t be safe in your father’s hands,” he said. The way he mentioned the shops being “useful” didn’t sit well with me. 

“I see.” I took a breath. “Since you mentioned it, I’d like to buy back my shops. I’m willing to pay what they’re worth and then some.” I got straight to the point. 

“Interesting offer.” He leaned in. “But I’m not interested in selling them.” His refusal made me clench my fists under the table. “I want to make you an offer. I need to resolve this marriage issue as soon as possible, and my family has also decided that I should marry you. Your surname is perfect to join with ours.” 

I opened my mouth and closed it, surprised by his proposal. I would have expected anything but this. 

“Today, my entire family is here. We could do it now. If we manage to convince them tonight, we’ll only need to see each other a couple more times before I take care of the rest. We could do it another time if you don’t think you can start today, and that’s if you accept.” 

I looked at Alaia and Tino. 

“Honey, it’s your decision. You know we’re here for you,” Alaia said, taking my hand. 

“Sounds exciting to me! Think of it as a performance,” Tino said with a smile, leaving the final decision in my hands. 

“If I accept, when will you give me the documents for my shops?” I asked. 

“If you decide to come to dinner tonight, you’ll have the papers as soon as it’s over. I’ll trust you with the possibility of other meetings with my family. As for the money, I’m not interested. You don’t need to pay me anything. Your shops will be returned to you in exchange for this 

arrangement.” 

I didn’t like the idea of not paying for my shops, but I’d think of something. 

“Fine, I accept. We’ll do it tonight. We can’t waste any more time,” I said, extending my hand to seal the deal. I thought it was a unique opportunity that I couldn’t refuse at this moment. 

“Perfect. You’ll need to wear a suitable dress for tonight. Of course, I won’t make my fiancée bear the expenses. Go shopping, get what you need, all of you.” He looked at Tino, probably already aware that he was gay. “And charge everything to my account. Just give them my 

name at the stores.” We stood up, and he looked towards the entrance. “I believe the show is about to begin…”